Chapter 011 - The Rukongai Patrol: District 78
Three days later...
"I'm getting goosebumps!" Fujimaru admitted.
"Why's that?" Kaien asked.
"We're going to a dangerous area, today, right?" Fujimaru revealed the motive of his enthusiasm.
"Ahah! So that's it, huh? You don't have to pretend to be brave with me, you know?" Kaien laughed for awhile.
"But you'd be there to keep us safe, wouldn't you?" Fujimaru's question made Kaien stop.
"Of course. No one of the 5th Division stays behind." Kaien remembered and then rubbed the back of his head, while both twins eyes widened. "If you want it that much, what're we waiting for?"
"Oh, Kaien..."
"Boy, your sister's eyes are sparkling again..." Kaien whispered.
"Love proofs, Kaien, remember that..." Fujimaru pointed to his left eye, causing Kaien to nod in agreement.
"This is a rough neighborhood, folks." Kaien said, after making them a sign to stop.
"South Rukongai, District 78, Inuzuri, also known as the "Hanging Dog". It certainly doesn't look like the safest of places." Matsuri commented, after staring at the place with her own two eyes.
"I've never heard of any Hollow incidents here, though. But..." Kaien's eyes widened and he suddenly started to sweat a lot. "Uh oh..."
"What's wrong?" Fujimaru worriedly asked.
"The cake Kūkakū sent me...Sorry, I have to go find a public restroom, and fast!" Kaien whispered to the other male, before disappearing in a Shunpo.
"I'm not so sure there are any public restrooms around here..." Fujimaru pondered.
"Where's Kaien going?" Matsuri asked to her brother, who jumped with his eyes blank.
"Na-Not far. Just check out something...yeah, we go on ahead." Fujimaru clumsily answered, not convincing Matsuri. Before she could insist, they heard some people shout from down the street.
"Come on, Renji! Run!" A girl with black hair shouted.
"I can't go any faster! The water's gonna spill!" Renji, a boy with long red hair, wrapped up in a pineapple-shaped ponytail, continued to run with a pot filled with water in his hands. "Oh boy, we're gonna get got!"
"What's that?" Matsuri asked.
"Hey, you!" The water vendor of District 78 came running behind the young duo. "Water thieves! Somebody grab them!"
"Uh oh! He's gonna catch me!" Renji noticed the man coming closer and closer.
"Renji! Give the pot to that guy!" The girl pointed towards the blond man wearing a black kimono.
"Darn! Guess we got no choice! Here, take it!" The redheaded boy launched the pot towards Fujimaru, who caught it without spilling the water.
"Rotten little thieves! They sure can run!" The panting man continued to curse until he reached both Shinigami.
"Thieves?" The twins asked at the same time.
"Ah, Shinigami! Thank you for getting my water back for me." The man tried to get the pot of Fujimaru's hands, but the latter didn't release it. "Huh?"
"How much does this cost?" Fujimaru asked.
"That was close!" The girl said, while she tried to regain her breath.
"Yeah! We almost got nabbed." The redhead agreed.
"Didn't exactly go as you planned, did it?" Someone asked from behind them.
"It sure didn't! I mean..." Renji's eyes suddenly widened. "Yikes!"
"Run!" The girl saw Matsuri behind them and started to run on the opposite direction. However, another Shinigami stepped in front of them.
"Hold on a second!" Fujimaru demanded.
"We...We're sorry!" The girl said.
"But the little ones haven't had any water in days! Can't you just let it go this one time?" The boy tried to negotiate.
"Yeah, I figured it was something like that." Fujimaru said, with a smile on his face.
"Huh?" Both street children looked at eachother.
"Yeah, we can pretty much imagine your situation. We grew up in a place not much different from this." Matsuri told them.
"So we know just how precious this water is to you." Fujimaru finished, by revealing the hidden water pot.
"Hey, that's..."
"The water..." The girl completed what the boy was about to say.
"That's right. Just thought we'd drop it off for you." Fujimaru said.
"Take it. It's yours." Matsuri had a kind tone in her voice, similar to the one used by Konoka.
"You're giving it to us?" The shocked redhead asked.
"Thank you! We'll never forget this!" The girl didn't think twice and grabbed the pot.
"Do you mind if we ask you your names?" Matsuri asked.
"I'm Rukia. I live down there by the riverbank." The girl introduced herself.
"I'm Renji. Thank you so much!" The boy even made a bow.
"Take good care of the little ones, okay?" Fujimaru asked with a huge grin in his face.
"We will!" Both Rukia and Renji shouted in unison.
"Sorry I took so long!" Kaien excused himself, as soon as he reached the place where he had left the twins. "I couldn't find a damn restroom anywhere!"
"I bet he didn't find a restroom anywhere..." Fujimaru thought. "A lot happened while you were gone, you know?"
"Sorry about that! I'll make it up to you, I promise." Kaien assured them both. "But, anyway, let's finish patrolling."
"So where are we going now?" Fujimaru asked.
"District 80. You sure you're ready?" Kaien asked, and both nodded, like he knew they would. "Then let's get moving!"
"Say, Kaien..." Matsuri started to speak. "Where have you been until now?"
"Huh, well..."